Ghanaian finance and economic policy analyst, entrepreneur, business executive and civil-society advocate Senyo K. Hosi has persuasively argued that galamsey is now a larger economic and political catastrophe rather than just an environmental or mining one.
He claims that the money made from illicit small-scale mining is flowing through influential parts of Ghanaian society, such as the media, churches, and politics. As a result, despite the terrible consequences for people, rivers, forests, and agriculture, attempts to eradicate galamsey in the nation have consistently encountered opposition.
He stated, after a comprehensive assessment of the issue, he realized the condition had now become a livelihood.
“I studied the situation in great detail. In terms of socioeconomic reality, galamsey has turned into a means of subsistence. It is so pervasive that it is difficult to distinguish it from the paths of politics, economics, and communal harmony.
In a video that Joy 99.7 FM posted, he said,
“My brother, if we want to travel and continue this passion, we will make no progress.”
The intricacy of the issue is further shown by Hosi’s description of galamsey as a “livelihood.” Illegal mining creates jobs, revenue, and business prospects for many communities. Therefore, merely outlawing the practice without offering reliable substitute sources of income could worsen the situation for the impacted populations.
Ghana Seems To Have Lost The Fight Against Galamsey
However, his comments also bring up a more important question: who stands to gain from maintaining the system if galamsey earnings are funding powerful organizations?
That is the aspect of the discussion that merits careful public examination. In addition to enforcing laws against illicit miners, Ghana requires more openness regarding business interests, political funding, gold dealing, local economic networks, and the flow of mining profits.
If the accusations are validated, combating galamsey would necessitate taking on the money networks that support it rather than just detaining individuals who are discovered using excavators.